AI/ML Robotics Engineer

Programmers.io; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Programmers.io is seeking a hands-on mechanical reliability engineer to design, build, and integrate mechanical fixtures that stress test products while interfacing with CT scanning systems. You will drive a concept from design through fabrication, CT-system integration, automation, and data analysis largely independently.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in robotics/mechatronics, experience with test fixtures, Python-driven automation, and applying AI/ML to imaging or test data.

Qualifications

• Design and build custom mechanical/electromechanical test fixtures for reliability testing.
• Strong robotics/mechatronics background with hands-on hardware experience.
• Experience integrating fixtures into constrained systems and envelopes.
• Python for fixture control, automation, and data analysis.
• AI/ML experience applied to imaging, anomaly detection or predictive modeling.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and build fixtures to apply controlled stress to products under test.
• Integrate fixtures with CT scanner hardware to fit within bore/stage constraints and avoid artifacts.
• Develop Python software to synchronize stress cycles with CT sequencing and data logging.
• Apply AI/ML to analyze CT imaging and reliability data to identify failure modes.
• Collaborate with CT/imaging, product design, and failure analysis teams.
• Iterate fixture designs based on test results and CT findings.
• Document designs, procedures, and test results for reproducibility and cross-team use.
• Drive projects independently with minimal oversight.

Skills

Robotics & mechatronics

Test fixture design

Data analysis

Python programming

Cross-functional collaboration

Hands-on hardware troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering / Robotics / Mechatronics / EE

Tools

SolidWorks

Python

CT imaging integration

Job description

Design, build, and integrate complex mechanical reliability/stress-test fixtures for product testing, with the fixtures designed to interface directly with our CT (computed tomography) scanning systems. The goal is to stress test products under controlled mechanical conditions while enabling in-situ or sequential CT imaging to inspect internal structural/failure effects. This role requires a hands-on, self-driven engineer who can take a test concept from design through fabrication, CT-system integration, automation, and data analysis — largely independently.

• Design and build custom mechanical fixtures to apply controlled stress (e.g., cyclic loading, vibration, bend/flex, thermal, or compression) to products under test.
• Integrate stress-test fixtures with CT scanner hardware — ensuring fixtures fit within scanner bore/stage constraints, are compatible with rotation stages, and don't introduce imaging artifacts (material selection, geometry, X-ray transparency).
• Develop Python software to control test fixtures, synchronize stress cycles with CT scan sequencing, and automate data logging for long-duration/unattended testing.
• Apply AI/ML techniques to analyze CT imaging and reliability data — identifying failure onset, crack propagation, wear patterns, and predicting failure modes.
• Collaborate closely with CT/imaging, product design, and failure analysis engineering teams to align test design with product risk areas.
• Iterate quickly on fixture design based on test results and CT findings.
• Document fixture designs, integration procedures, and test results for reproducibility and cross-team use.
• Drive projects independently — identifying testing gaps, proposing solutions, and executing with minimal oversight.

Requirements:

• Proven experience designing and building custom mechanical/electromechanical test fixtures, ideally for product stress, durability, or reliability testing.
• Strong background in robotics and mechatronics: mechanical design, motion control, actuators, sensors, and system integration.
• Experience or strong aptitude for integrating hardware fixtures into constrained systems (e.g., adapting designs to fit within existing equipment envelopes/interfaces).
• Proficiency in Python for fixture control, automation, and data analysis.
• Practical experience applying AI/ML to engineering, imaging, or test data (anomaly detection, predictive modeling, classification, etc.)
• Self-driven with strong ownership mentality — comfortable defining and executing complex technical projects with ambiguous requirements.
• Strong mechanical aptitude — able to work hands-on with hardware (assembly, wiring, troubleshooting, fit-checks).
• Excellent cross-functional communication and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with CT (computed tomography) systems — understanding of scan geometry, stage/bore constraints, and material considerations (X-ray attenuation, artifact avoidance) for fixture design.
• Background in failure analysis, particularly correlating mechanical stress testing with radiographic/CT imaging findings.
• CAD proficiency (e.g., SolidWorks) for fixture design and CT-envelope fit-checks.
• Experience in consumer electronics, semiconductor, or precision hardware product testing environments.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).